A method for deriving rigorous upper bounds on asymptotic values of total cross sections is discussed. The size of the bound is determined by low energy data. A functional form for the total cross section at high energies is assumed and bounds on the parameters introduced are obtained. The method is applied to 7r 7~ scattering, and numerical estimates, using experimental data, are given for dif...

New constraints on resonance saturation in chiral perturbation theory are investigated. These constraints arise because each consistent saturation scheme must map to a representation of the full QCD chiral symmetry group. The low-energy constants of chiral perturbation theory are then related by a set of mixing angles. It is shown that vector meson dominance is a consequence of the fact that na...

In a lot of systems, charge transport is governed by local features rather than being a global property as suggested by extracting a single resistance value. Consequently, techniques that resolve local structure in the electronic potential are crucial for a detailed understanding of electronic transport in realistic devices. Recently, we have introduced a new potentiometry method based on low-e...

We review the status of the coupling constants of chiral Lagrangians in the meson sector, the so-called low-energy constants (LECs). Special emphasis is put on the chiral SU(2) and SU(3) Lagrangians for the strong interactions of light mesons. The theoretical and experimental input for determining the corresponding LECs is discussed. In the two-flavour sector, we review the knowledge of the O(p...

I review selected topics in supersymmetry, including: effects of non-universality, high tan β and phases on SUSY signals; a heavy gluino as the LSP; gauge-mediated SUSY signals involving delayed decays; R-parity violation and the very worst case for SUSY discovery; some topics regarding Higgs bosons in supersymmetry; and doubly-charged Higgs and higgsinos in supersymmetric left-right symmetric ...

We built a Low Energy Deuteron Polarimeter (LDP) which measures the spin-polarization of deuteron beams in the energy range of 25 to 80 keV. The LDP works by measuring azimuthal asymmetries in the D(~ d, n)He reaction at θlab = 90 ◦ and comparing them to analyzing powers. We built this polarimeter for two reasons. Firstly, to crosscheck other polarimeters at KVI (LSP and IBP). Secondly to test ...

The progress in determining the coupling constants of mesonic chiral Lagrangians is reviewed, with emphasis on the work performed in three successive European Networks (Eurodaphne I and II, Euridice). Reliable estimates of those constants are essential for making full use of next-to-next-to-leading-order calculations in chiral perturbation theory. The precision in the values of the strong coupl...

It is well known that the solution of the hierarchy problem in supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model (SM) requires a mass splitting ∆m ∼ 1 TeV between ordinary particles and their superpartners. This requirement, however, leaves largely undetermined the supersymmetrybreaking scale √ F , or, equivalenty, the gravitino mass m3/2 = F/( √ 3MP ), MP being the Planck mass. The ratio ∆m /F i...

A major trend in the computing industry is the move towards computers in portable products. This can be seen as the sales of laptops now surpass desktops, the emergence of a new class of devices known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s), and the growth in the sale of consumer electronics devices such as pagers, cellular phones, viewmen. For a large number of these products, battery life is a...